The ICC has issued a typically flimsy response to the furore which erupted after the umpires replaced a scuffed-up ball with a much newer one which helped turn around England’s charge to victory in the fifth Test at The Oval.
Former Test captain Ricky Ponting was furious in commentary for host broadcaster Sky Sports at umpires Joel Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena and opener Usman Khawaja was also bemused over the switch to a much shinier one after England captain Ben Stokes complained about the state of the six-stitcher.
“The ICC does not comment on the decisions taken by umpires in matches,” a spokesman said.
“We can, however, confirm that all balls are preselected before the start of every match and when the situation calls for it, the match officials choose the ball that is closest to the condition of the ball that is being replaced.”
A furious Ponting in Sky Sports commentary said whenever a damaged ball needs to be changed, the umpires are supposed to select the one in the box of options which most resembles the one being replaced.
But they clearly failed to do that this time around with close-ups comparing the two Dukes balls showing the old one looking worse for wear and the new version appearing to be in much better condition.
England took such a shine to the replacement ball that they didn’t bother taking the second new ball late in the day with Australia’s tailenders an outside chance of victory and the hosts went on to record a 49-run triumph.
Australian opener Usman Khawaja also could not believe the difference between the replacement ball and the previous one.
“As soon as they changed that ball, I knew straight away that ball was very different,” Khawaja said. “I went straight up to Kumar and said how old this ball? It feels like it’s about eight overs old.”
David Warner is dismissed by Chris Woakes. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The ICC has also penalised Australia and England 10 and 19 World Test Championship points respectively for maintaining slow over-rates during the Ashes.
Both teams also received fines with Australia deducted half of their match fee for 10 overs in the fourth Test at Manchester, while England received “10 per cent for the first Test, 45 per cent for the second, 15 per cent for the fourth and 25 per cent for the fifth,” according to the ICC.
Khawaja last month revealed he had approached the ICC about reducing penalties for slow over-rates in Tests after the governing body announced it had decided to soften sanctions.
He said it was “really frustrating” for players to lose their match fees despite delivering entertaining matches.
Khawaja posted on social media after the latest sanctions came in, sarcastically saying “that makes a lot of sense”.
“Don’t even get the chance to bowl in the second innings at Manchester due to 2 days of rain and @ICC still issue fines and take 10 WTC points of us for slow over rates!”
The hosts beat Australia by 49 runs in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval on Monday, securing a 2-2 series draw.
Reigning champions Australia, who retained the Ashes, are currently third in the WTC standings while England are fifth.
Having gained 28 points – 24 for two wins and four for a draw – England finished with just nine points dropping them below the West Indies, who have played just two matches and are yet to record a win.
with AAP
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
FunBus, in your unsupported, revanchist opinion,maybe. They merely ask to see the box of balls and select the one that has the closest identity to the old one. No problemo.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Abnormally raised seam, shiny and hard, vastly different to the old ball. I'd colour you thick if I didn't think you were being deliberately obtuse.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
CWMoss. You do know that there is no such thing as karma? I advise you to read “Fooled by Randomness” by Nassim Taleb.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Many times, the replacement ball isn’t a nearly a brand new ball. For one that was scuffed up , no shine at all . I guess you deliberately missed the point? England simply don’t win that test , without a newer ball with plenty of shine.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
There should be some rule regarding how many times the ball can be requested to be changed. England asked 11 times in that Australian second innings. Relentless pressure simply wore the umpires down. Hardly in the spirit of cricket.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
As l said elsewhere the 4th umpire forgot he had a duty to supply like-4-like balls. He didn’t and that indicates carelessness or worse. ——– King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft a box of balls from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Wilson, was to choose the balls for the 4th Test. That is why I am your king. Cummins: Listen. Strange umpires lying in drunken cess pools, distributing non-suitable balls is no basis for a spirit of cricket. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the cricket boards, not from some farcical lunatic ravings of a pom. Arthur: Be quiet! Cummins: You can’t expect to wield supreme power just cos some drunken umpire threw a box of not-fit-for-service balls at you!
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The problem is the approval by the 4th umpire; d'oh. He was careless or careless. Take your pick.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Then they forfeit the match. It's the umpires decision. The bowlers have no choice either.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: England had no say over the ball being changed other than to point out to the umpire that its condition no longer met standards (as all sides do repeatedly). A box of balls approved by the 4th Umpire is then presented on the pitch and the umpire chooses one that most closely matches the condition of the replaced ball. Unless the England players have mastered the Jedi mind trick, I'm struggling to see how they 'cheated.' Have you any conception of how pathetic this is making Aussies look?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'Dukes ball under cloud cover and artificial light, in England, swings around in the morning.' Well, I couldn't be more shocked.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
I think they were being diplomatic. Reading between the lines the statement said: 'Hey guys, come and have a look at this. Have you seen this laughable tantrum the Aussies are having over something that happens in the majority of test matches these days? Pen some neutral statement so they don't actually burst into tears, will you Angela.'
FunBus
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Ah, so you are a holier than thou guru-without-end
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
What if, I suggest, it was shown, side by side, to the batspersons and they reject it, what happens then?
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
I referred to Paris bowling around corners last season in the Sheffield Shield. Don't use single capital letters for that competition. The etherialists will get you.
ChrisH
Roar Rookie
No. Coz Broad was saying that would have been the case with any ball, not this particular ball as the author the strongly implied.
CW Moss
Roar Rookie
I'm applying the karma index using my moral compass. :happy:
Rusty Brooks
Roar Rookie
Really could have used him in this series. Even at 67.
Tempo
Roar Rookie
Have a look at the picture in this article: https://wwos.nine.com.au/cricket/the-ashes-2023-ashes-umpires-criticised-for-new-ball-decision-after-australias-top-order-collapse/283286d5-cb83-4800-9ae5-f31aed455c9c
Tempo
Roar Rookie
Have a look at the picture in this article: https://wwos.nine.com.au/cricket/the-ashes-2023-ashes-umpires-criticised-for-new-ball-decision-after-australias-top-order-collapse/283286d5-cb83-4800-9ae5-f31aed455c9c